Welcome to 'just old flies,' a section of methods and flies that
used-to-be. These flies were tied with the only materials
available. Long before the advent of 'modern' tying
materials, they were created and improved upon at a
far slower pace than todays modern counterparts;
limited by materials available and the
tiers imagination.

Once long gone, there existed a 'fraternity' of anglers
who felt an obligation to use only the 'standard' patterns
of the day. We hope to bring a bit of nostalgia to these pages and to
you. And sometimes what you find here will not always be
about fishing. Perhaps you will enjoy them. Perhaps you
will fish the flies. Perhaps?

Part One hundred eighty-two

Mitchell

Compiled by Deanna Lee Birkholm

Archibald Mitchell, of Norwich, Connecticut, salmon fly tier and
fisherman of reknown at the turn of the Century, was the originator
of the salmon fly which bears his name.

Mr. Mitchell, 1844-1923, was born in Cupar, County Fifte, Scotland.
While still a young man he came to the United States. He obtained
employment in a dry goods store in Hartford, Connecticut. Shortly
thereafter, with another young Scotchman he went to Norwich, Connecticut
where they opened a store of their own. This was the forerunner of
other stores located in Portland, Meaine; Syracuse, New York; Fort
Wayne, Indiana and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Mr. Mitchell was one of the founders of the Runnymeade Lodge on the
Restigouche River and he also had an interest in a stretch of water
on the Upsalquitch River, both in New Brunswick, Canada.

Mitchell preferred this pattern tied on a double hook.

Mitchell
As tied by Mary Orvis Marbury

Tag: Silver tinsel and yellow floss.

Tail: Golden pheasant crest, long and blue feather.

Body: Black floss.

Rib: Silver tinsel.

Hackle: Yellow, Black font.

Wing: Black metallic cock tail.

Shoulder: Jungle cock.

Topping: Golden pheasant crest.

Credits: Information from Fly Patterns and
Their Origins, by Harold Hinsdill Smedley, photo
and recipe from Forgotten Flies.